Handgun holster

ABSTRACT

A holster for a concealable handgun has a front assembly, a rear assembly, and straps for securing the holster to a user&#39;s body. The front assembly and rear assembly are joined to each other to form a pocket, open at the top, to receive a handgun. Each of the front and rear assemblies is formed from a sandwich of flexible fabric folded in half to form a top edge, and joined to each other to form the pocket opening at the top. The rear assembly further includes a waterproof layer of fabric to act as a barrier preventing moisture from the user to affect the handgun. A strap is secured to each side of the open top edge and the straps adjustably secured to each other around the user. When the straps are secured, tension passes through the open top of the pocket forcing the top edges of the first and second assemblies closed and securing the handgun in the pocket.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a handgun holster, specifically to a holsterutilized for concealed applications.

DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART

An ideal holster for concealed applications should be comfortable,snag-free, and provide easy handgun access. The holster should beself-supporting and adaptable so that it can be worn at multiplelocations on a person. Retention of a handgun is especially importantduring a defensive situation so the holster must include a mechanicalmeans for retention to secure the handgun. Holsters made of rigid orbulky materials that show through clothing or require the holster to beexposed are not desirable for concealment purposes.

The prior art suffers from numerous deficiencies. For example U.S. Pat.No. 5,294,031 describes a concealment holster in which a zippermechanism is prone to malfunctions; U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,919 describes aholster that is worn in open view; U.S. Pat. No. 5,909,834 describes aconcealment holster that has an upper edge exposed seam that canunravel; and U.S. Pat. No. D361,656 includes a downward facing seam thatcan snag on handgun protrusions. In both U.S. Pat. No. 5,909,834 andU.S. Pat. No. D361,656, the elastic straps fail to pass tension throughthe holster's front and rear panel thereby failing to secure a handgun.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment, a holster that can be worncomfortably and covertly at multiple locations on a person depending onthe individual's personal preference is described. The holster isindependent of the users clothing and contains a means for mechanicallyretaining a handgun secure and in position during movement. The holsteris constructed so that it will not snag on the protrusions found onvarious handguns.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a mobile terminal andmethod of controlling a broadcast therein that substantially obviate oneor more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the relatedart.

An object of the present invention is to provide a holster that iscomfortable, snag-free, and provide easy handgun access for concealedapplications.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will beset forth in part in the description which follows and in part willbecome apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art uponexamination of the following or may be learned from practice of theinvention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may berealized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in thewritten description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with thepurpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, ahandgun holding device includes a holster assembly that comprises afront assembly secured to a rear assembly forming a pocket thereinhaving an open top edge, a first strap having one end attached to oneside of the open top edge a second strap having one end attached to anopposite side of the open top edge, and a retention means attached to anunattached end of the first strap and second strap for adjustablysecuring the first strap and second strap around a portion of a user'sbody. The tension in the first and second straps is adjusted by theretention means, and the tension passes through the open top edge of theholster pocket thereby stretching the materials of the front assemblyand the rear assembly in opposing directions, thereby forcefullysandwiching the handgun within the pocket.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description of the present invention areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the description, serve to explain the principle of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the holster according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the holster according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the construction of the frontassembly of the holster according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing the construction of the rear assemblyof the holster according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the holster with section lines according toone embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the holster according to the embodiment ofFIG. 5 taken at the section plane and in the direction indicated bysection lines 66.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the holster with section lines according to asecond embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the holster according to the secondembodiment of FIG. 7 taken at the sectioning plane and in the directionindicated by section lines 8-8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show one embodiment of the holster. The holster has afront assembly 40 stitched to a rear assembly 42 and the seam betweenthe front assembly 40 and the rear assembly 42 is sealed on the bottomand the sides forming a pocket. The rear assembly 42 has a largervertical dimension than front assembly 40 to ensure that when the twoassemblies are joined, the opening at the top of the pocket is readilyidentifiable and accessible. Elastic straps 24 are attached to each sideof the top of the pocket formed by the front assembly 40 and the rearassembly 42 using means known in the art.

The front assembly 40 and rear assembly 42 are joined together at theexposed side and rounded lower edges. Double fold bias tape 22 is usedto enclose the exposed side and lower edges of the now joined frontassembly 40 and rear assembly 42. This leaves the two top edges openforming a receiving pocket for a handgun. The pocket may be furtherdivided into two separate receiving pockets by applying a straight-linevertical stitch 50 at the mid point of front assembly 40.

The elastic straps 24 are individually sewn to the two opposing sides ofthe front assembly 40 so that stitching 70 penetrates through frontassembly 40 and rear assembly 42. Each of the unattached ends of theelastic straps 24 is terminated with a length of polypropylene webbing26. Hook fastener 28 and loop fastener 30 are then attached to thelengths of polypropylene webbing 26 in such a manner as to operationallyjoin the elastic straps 24 to each other thereby adjustably securing theholster to a user. The lengths of the elastic straps 24 and thepolypropylene webbing 26 may be selected to accommodate different sizedusers. The width of the elastic straps 24 and the polypropylene webbing26 may be selected according to the weight capacity of the holster. Byway of illustration, but not limitation, the width of the elastic straps24 and the polypropylene webbing 26 may be 2 inches.

While the holster is described having elastic straps 24 secured withhook fastener 28 and loop fastener 30 as illustration, not limitation,other strapping material and securing means may be used, for examplepolypropylene webbing fitted with an adjustment buckle.

Referring to FIG. 3, the holster's front assembly 40 is constructed of alayer of oval shaped interfacing fabric 32 sandwiched between twosimilarly shaped layers of denim 20. Denim material is used for purposesof illustration without limitation, and the material for the frontassembly 40 and rear assembly 42 may be any suitable fabric or flexiblematerial. An iron or similar heating device applies heat and steam tothe non-fusible side of the interfacing fabric 32. The fusible sidereacts to the heat and steam by forming a permanent bond to theunderside of the outer layer of denim 20. The oval shaped layers ofmaterial are then folded in half to form a half oval or shield-likeshape with a seamless top edge and exposed side and bottom edges so thatthe handgun does not snag on the top edge when drawn.

FIG. 4 shows the holster's rear assembly 42 constructed of a layer ofoval shaped interfacing fabric 32 and a similarly shaped layer of denim20. The interfacing fabric 32 is bonded to the underside of denim 20 inthe same manner as in front assembly 40. Breathable waterproof fabric 34such as ULTREX®, GORTEX®, STORMTECH®, or CUSHMAX®, is cut to form ahalf-oval or shield-like pattern that is sewn into position so that itconforms to the side and rounded lower edges of the now fusedinterfacing fabric 32 and denim 20. The fused interfacing fabric 32 anddenim 20 are folded in half sandwiching the breathable waterproof fabric34 and conforming to the half-oval or shield-like shape of thebreathable waterproof fabric. The folded assembly has a seamless topedge and exposed bottom and side edges so that the handgun does not snagon the top edge when drawn.

Denim 20 provides a smooth draw surface for the handgun, whileinterfacing fabric 32 adds support to the denim 20 and prevents bubbleformation in the material that are known to snag on the handgun.Breathable waterproof material 34 acts as a barrier to prevent moisterfrom passing through the rear assembly 42 to the handgun, while allowingthe denim 20 to breath. Bias tape 22 encloses the exposed side andbottom edges of front assembly 40 and rear assemble 42 to preventfraying of the enclosed materials.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of the holster and FIG. 6 shows the top offront assembly 40 and rear assembly 42 wherein rear assembly 42 extendsapproximately 1 inch above that of front assembly 40 providingadditional protection to the handgun. The front assembly 40 measuresapproximately 9 inches in length by 5¼ in height after it is folded,while the rear assembly measures approximately 9 inches in length by 6¼in height. The dimensions are exemplary only and the size of the holstermay vary according to the size of the handgun to be carried.

FIG. 6 is a cross section view of the top of front assembly 40 and rearassembly 42 indicated by 6-6 shown on FIG. 5.

A second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. An accessory divider 44having the same dimensions as the rear assembly 42 is comprised of anoval shaped piece of denim 20 with a similarly shaped piece ofinterfacing fabric 32 fused within. The materials are then folded inhalf to form a half oval or shield-like shape that conforms to the sideand lower right edges of front assembly 40 and rear assembly 42. It isthen sewn to front assembly 40 at its side and lower edges and avertical stitch 50 is applied to create two ambidextrous receivingpockets described previously. Both accessory divider 44 and frontassembly 40 are then sewn at their side and lower edges to rear assembly42 so that the accessory divider 44 is sandwiched between the twoassemblies. Bias tape 22 is used to enclose the side and lower edges offront assembly 40, accessory divider 44, and rear assembly 42.Construction of the remainder of the holster does not deviate from thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross section view of the top of the front assembly 40, therear assembly 42, and the accessory divider 44 indicated by 8-8 shown onFIG. 7.

To use the accessory divider 44, the user places valuables such as moneyor shooting accessories between rear assembly 42 and accessory divider44. The addition of the accessory divider 44 does not change holsteroperation or function.

To use the holster, a handgun is inserted into one of the twoambidextrous receiving pockets created by vertical stitch 50 of FIG. 1.The holster is then positioned in front of the user's abdomen on top ofany undergarments. Elastic straps 24 are then secured using hookfastener 28 and loop fastener 30. This is accomplished by pulling thetwo elastic straps 24 in a rearward fashion so they encircle the user'ships. Hook fastener 28 and loop fastener 30 are then secured together sothat the hook side of hook fastener 28 grips the loop side of loopfastener 30. Webbing 26 creates a rigid gripping surface for both thehook side and loop side of the two fasteners and fully encloses the faredge of the two elastic straps 24.

The two elastic straps 24 are individually sewn to the two opposing sideedges of bias tape 22 so that both elastic straps 24 run horizontal torear assembly 42, but also rest on top of front assembly 40 and rearassembly 42. Stitching 70 runs through the entire front assembly 40 andrear assembly 42 gripping all materials within with no interruption,creating a mechanical means for retention that utilizes tension tosecure the handgun inside of the ambidextrous receiving pockets. Whenthe user secures the elastic straps 24 as described above, tension runsthrough the two elastic straps 24. This tension is transferred to bothfront assembly 40 and rear assembly 42 causing the two assemblies totighten as they are pulled outward. The tightening effect effectivelysandwiches the enclosed handgun and assists in retention during movementwithout impeding access to the handgun. Tension in the rear assembly 42creates a tight fit against the abdomen eliminating any space betweenthe holster and the user's body.

Once the holster is secured and the handgun is holstered, the user canconceal the holster under pants, shorts, or a similar outer garment. Todraw the handgun, the user pushes the waistband of the outer garmentoutwards using their non-shooting hand. The user's shooting hand thenreaches between the newly created space to remove the handgun from theholster. To holster the handgun, the user creates space between theambidextrous receiving pockets with their non-shooting hand and insertsthe handgun into the pocket with their shooting hand.

Alternatively, the holster can be positioned on the side of the user'swaist much like a modern inside-the-waistband-holster. This allowsfaster handgun access and it is highly concealable as there are noexternal holster clips or fasteners to add to the profile of theholster. The elastic straps 24 are positioned above the hips at waistlevel. Only the handgun's grips will be visible. The user's shirt orcoat can be worn over the grip for full concealment. To draw thehandgun, the user clears their shirt or coat with their non-shootinghand and draws the handgun with their shooting hand. To holster thehandgun, the user creates space between the ambidextrous receivingpouches with their non-shooting hand and inserts the handgun into thepocket with their shooting hand. The user's belt will also aid inretention when using this method by adding additional pressure to theframe of the holstered handgun.

Other methods of carry not described may be utilized depending on theuser's preference. Each alternative method requires that the same stepsbe taken to both fasten the holster and to holster the handgun.

1. A handgun holding device comprising: a holster assembly comprising afront assembly secured to a rear assembly forming a pocket thereinhaving an open top edge; a first strap having one end attached to oneside of the open top edge and a second strap having one end attached toan opposite side of the open top edge; and a retention means attached toan unattached end of the first strap and second strap for adjustablysecuring the first strap and second strap around a portion of a user'sbody, wherein tension in the first and second straps is adjusted by theretention means, and wherein the tension passes through the open topedge of the holster pocket thereby stretching the materials of the frontassembly and the rear assembly in opposing directions, therebyforcefully sandwiching the handgun within the pocket.
 2. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the front assembly further comprises a first pluralityof flexible sheets of material folded, the fold defining the frontassembly upper edge, and wherein the rear assembly further comprises asecond plurality of flexible sheets of material folded, the folddefining the rear assembly upper edge.
 3. The device of claim 2, whereinone of the second plurality of the flexible sheets is a waterproof,breathable membrane.
 4. The device of claim 2, wherein each of the firstand the second pluralities of flexible sheets of material includesreinforcing fabric.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the retentionmeans is one of a hook and loop fastener.
 6. The device of claim 1,wherein at least one of the first and the second strap comprises elasticmaterial.
 7. A handgun holding device comprising: a holster assemblycomprising a front assembly secured to a rear assembly forming a pockettherein having an open top edge, wherein the front assembly furthercomprises a first plurality of flexible sheets of material folded, thefold defining the front assembly upper edge, and wherein the rearassembly further comprises a second plurality of flexible sheets ofmaterial folded, the fold defining the rear assembly upper edge; a firststrap having one end attached to one side of the open top edge and asecond strap having one end attached to an opposite side of the open topedge; and a retention means attached to an unattached end of the firststrap and second strap for adjustably securing the first strap andsecond strap around a portion of a user's body.
 8. The device of claim7, wherein tension in the first and second straps is adjusted by theretention means.
 9. The device of claim 7, wherein the tension passesthrough the open top edge of the holster pocket thereby stretching thematerials of the front assembly and the rear assembly in opposingdirections, thereby forcefully sandwiching the handgun within thepocket.
 10. The device of claim 7, wherein one of the second pluralityof the flexible sheets is a waterproof, breathable membrane.
 11. Thedevice of claim 7, wherein each of the first and the second pluralitiesof flexible sheets of material includes reinforcing fabric.
 12. Thedevice of claim 7, wherein the retention means is one of a hook and loopfastener.
 13. The device of claim 7, wherein at least one of the firstand the second strap comprises elastic material.